Missouri’s emergency management officials have met to discuss how well prepared the state is to deal with disasters such as a major magnitude earthquake. Public Safety Director Mark James says his department and others have identified many of the areas in which the state is lacking, and have made improvements. He points out any emergency response proposal is one that must be constantly evolving and improved upon. The Department of Public Safety is working closely with the Missouri National Guard, the State Highway Patrol, and other agencies to ensure efforts are coordinated in the event of a major disaster. He says it would be wrong for anyone to suggest the state is not prepared to deal with such a disaster.